CareFirst Associates stand together with and for Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
While we have surpassed the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic, the devastating sickness of a different kind, one of injustice — leaving in its wake tragedy, pain, sadness, anger and fear, continues to evolve.
At CareFirst, we are committed to practicing empathy, seeking to understand, investing in inclusion, demanding equity, and nurturing belonging every day for our members, employees, providers, partners and communities we serve.
Below is a company-wide communication from Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO, addressing the discrimination and violence inflicted on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and calling for empathy, understanding, and education.
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Dear CareFirst Associates and Contingent Workers,
We have officially passed the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic. While the progress we’ve made in the battle against the virus marks a hopeful milestone for many, COVID-19 is not the only thing we are fighting in our communities.
For over a year, Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have been fighting another sickness exacerbated by COVID-19. One that has spread hatred and discrimination due in part to intentional misinformation surrounding the coronavirus. A sickness that has spread fear and trauma among the AAPI community.
This disturbing theme of hatred and escalating violence continues to senselessly claim innocent lives and spread fear within our communities.
At CareFirst, we stand with and in support of our AAPI associates, members, providers, partners and communities – committing ourselves to do everything in our power to unite against the racism that has led to the alarming rise in harassment, violence, and deadly attacks across the nation.
In communities across the country, anti-Asian sentiment and crimes have been increasing and intensified by the pandemic. Among these incidents: widespread racial harassment, Asian-owned businesses robbed and vandalized, vicious—and even fatal—assaults on the elderly, and racist comments rampant on social media, particularly during Lunar New Year.
These attacks are unacceptable, and any form of institutionalized racism in the United States should not be tolerated. We are committed to helping the nearly 700 CareFirst associates who identify as part of the AAPI community live their healthiest lives where they feel safe and respected.
We need to do and be better. I spoke of hate crimes against people in the AAPI community in February, and it is something we will continue to discuss within our organization. We plan to host a session soon featuring our AAPI Associate Resource Group to listen and learn how to show up as allies for our AAPI associates and neighbors in our shared communities. We will stand together as One Company, One Team. We will listen. We will learn. We will act.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the good and the bad. Watching CareFirst associates come together to make the impossible happen for our members and communities inspires me every day. Now is the time to be better together and stand up for our friends, family, neighbors, and communities who continue to experience racial bias and discrimination in the United States.
My thoughts and prayers are with AAPI communities impacted by this hatred and senseless acts of violence. The families and friends of those lost this past Tuesday in Atlanta remain top of mind, and I would ask each of you to join me in honoring the lives lost in this senseless act of violence by opening your mind and heart to our AAPI community.
Resources to Support Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and Fight Anti-Asian Racism:
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Report any suspected hate crimes to the FBI or State Attorney General’s office
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Participate in bystander intervention training
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Educate yourself to avoid sharing false information
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Join CareFirst’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Associate Resource Group at asianarg@carefirst.com
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Call your legislators and ask what they are doing to support the Asian community
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Support your local AAPI owned small businesses
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Amplify and share their stories
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Check-in on your AAPI friends & family
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If you see someone in crisis or in need of support, share the following resources:
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Crisis Line: 1-800-273-Talk
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Asian Languages: 1-877-990-8585
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Crisis Text Line: Text “Connect” to 741741
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I have seen our communities do amazing things when we act together. Continue to practice empathy, seek to understand and educate, invest in inclusion, demand equity and nurture belonging. Our differences make us strong. We will continue to support our AAPI communities, associates, and members so that they may feel safe and respected in the United States, as they should.
The coronavirus knows no race or ethnicity. We have all been impacted by this public health crisis, yet anger and discrimination have disproportionately affected Asian populations. Please remember, COVID-19 is the enemy, not our AAPI colleagues, friends and loved ones.
Best,
Brian D. Pieninck
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 83rd year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2019, CareFirst invested $43 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of healthcare throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com and our transforming healthcare page at www.carefirst.com/transformation, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.